Complete noob looking for help

wycherley22

Hi Guys

Im not far of 30 and starting to soft round the middle so have decided im taking up mountain biking. Have always loved it and want to spend more time doing it. But need advice i was looking for a bike around £200 -£300. I was thinking of getting this;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... oreId_1000 1_catalogId_10151_productId_518205_categoryId_165499_langId_-1?cm_vc=I OV4PLPZ1

But i dont know if its a good make or if im looking in the wrong place. Sorry to be so vague but any help an recommendations is much appreciated.

Thanks

SpiderNdc

hi halfords no god :P go to your local bike shop and have a look around or evans cycles they have always god deal if you find something post it wy will help you decide ( your link dont work)

llamafarmer

Your link doesn't work

ian220476

as said - the link doesn't work but Halfords rings alarm bells to begin with and in that price range I would be concerned.

As suggested try and find a more scpecialist shop in your area.

In all honesty for your budget you may be best looking at a previous years model as it will be heavily discounted by now. If you could stretch you budget up to 400 (a big increase form 300 I accept) then a friend of mine, in a similar position to you, picked one of these up. He's used it round local tracks, bridleways, woods and trail centres etc and is really pleased with it. It seems like a good bike for the price range.


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019399

In case my link doesn't work either (!!) its a 2010 specialized hardrock sport disc at 399

wycherley22

sorry didn't check it, heres the link;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518205_categoryId_165499_langId_-1?cm_vc=IOV4PLPZ1

ill also have a look on the net for local bike shops but is this the sort of thing im looking for, Biking in forest's, country side and roads???

llamafarmer

You'll find it very difficult to beat the Carreras for value in the sub £500 bracket, so take the Halfords bashing with a large spoonful of salt.

Most of their bikes are very good, but sometimes the staff can be less so.

supersonic

The Vulcan is a superb machine for the cash - try one out for size.

.blitz

As above. Not sure if you would need a 20" bike - I am 6'2" & 200lbs and have never needed more than an 18-19" MTB - but your lbs will be able to sort you out with sizing.

Buckled_Rims

Great value for money, Carrera Vulcans are. My mate had one until it was stolen. Just make sure Halfords have set it up correctly for you.

To be quite honest there really wasn't much difference between his and my Merlin Malt 4 (with full XT) if you rode it blind folded (don't do that!). Only on serious sections my bike started to show it's class, but it was over 3 times the price :shock:

wycherley22

thanks guys, i think i'm gonna get one of the Vulcans unless anyone thinks im making a huge mistake? Im also going to go to a local bike shop first and see what they can offer. Are they any name i should stick to or is anything going to be ok for a first time rider?